Howdy! Joe and I also saw the two White-winged Scoters again today at Lake Crabtree in Raleigh. We arrived about 1:30 pm, so we missed seeing Rob and Ricky, but met a new birder and member of this listserve (howdy Paula!) with her family. No ice on the lake like there was Tuesday and duck numbers were much less. The Hooded Mergansers were closer to the tower Tuesday, but this time they were closer to the area off of Old Reedy Creek Rd. There were six snipe feeding along the beach area edge. We also decided to get a different view of the lake by parking in the NC Bar Center parking lot (thanks for the tip Jill and Kent) off Weston Rd.(there weren't any signs saying no trespassing, so we figured it was okay!), where we saw closer views of the scoters. They seemed to be hanging close to a group of four Greater Scaup. It sure is neat to see scoters up close instead of so far out in the distance flying low over the ocean! We checked the pond on the northeast corner of I-540 and I-40 where Jill, Judy, and I saw 7 species of ducks Tuesday. Today there were only Ring-necked and Ruddy Ducks as we pulled off the road. Warning!! If you pull off the road there, a policeman might pull up behind you!! My heart was beating fast as he walked up to our car. Thankfully, he asked if everything was okay and we said, "Yes, we're just birding!" I've received three emails (THANKS!) from CBC members saying they received their newsletters in the mail yesterday. I was beginning to think they had gotten lost somewhere!! I still don't have mine yet!!! UGH!!! After not finding mine in the mail again Friday, I made a call to the addressing company and post office. I learned some interesting information!! I was told it takes 3-7 days for bulk mail to be delivered within the local area (I still haven't received mine and it's been 8 days) and it takes 10-14 days to reach areas outside the mailing area. So, this has made me decide to change the deadline for articles again. Clyde and Judy used the 10th of every other month and I moved it to the 5th. The 1st of every other month seems like an easy number to remember, don't you think? The March newsletter is the one that I'm most concerned about since it falls so close to our spring meeting (this year in Clemson, SC April 25-27). I want to make sure members receive their newsletter in time to choose their field trips. So, the deadline has been moved to March 1 and I'll see how that goes this time. By the way, I talked with Derb Carter this morning. He'll be writing an email to Carolinabirds explaining how he'll handle the grouse trip he's leading in April since many members haven't received their newsletters yet. Please be patient while I figure out this mailing process!!! Happy birding! Karen Bearden Raleigh, NC chickadeebirders@earthlink.net